Tag: Zack Erwin

by Bill Moriarity / A’s Farm Editor

First baseman Matt Olson

With the 2017 minor league season now complete, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and determine who the true standouts on the field really were in the A’s system in 2017. We’re not selecting top prospects here, just looking at the top performers on the field this season. So, with that in mind, it’s time to name A’s Farm’s 2017 Post-Season Organizational All-Star Team!

Below you’ll find the primary starting players at each position for Triple-A Nashville, Double-A Midland, High-A Stockton, Class-A Beloit, Class-A Short-Season Vermont and the Rookie League Short-Season AZL A’s in 2017. Offensive players were selected from the primary starters at each position for each team over the course of the season, with notable players not leading in games played at a particular position listed in the designated hitter category. Starting pitchers for each club were selected from among the top starters for each team, while closers were selected from each team’s saves leader. Asterisks denote players with combined statistics from multiple minor league teams within the A’s system, but players’ major league statistics and statistics acquired while with other organizations have not been included.

Although A.J. Puk is undoubtedly the A’s top pitching prospect, he doesn’t appear here since he split his season between Stockton and Midland, had an ERA over 4.00 for the year, and had teammates on both squads who performed better on the field over the course of the season. But that in no way diminishes his overall prospect status. The same applies to Yairo Munoz, who split time between Nashville and Midland and also split time between shortstop, third base and the outfield and thus was not the primary starter at any position for either team. Shortstop Jorge Mateo and third baseman Sheldon Neuse are not included either, since both arrived in trades in July and neither appeared in more than 40 regular season games in the A’s system.

Check out our list of All-Star candidates at each position. Then click on the link just below the list of contenders to find A’s Farm’s winning Organizational All-Stars at each position. The winners were determined based purely on performance, not potential. Remember, we’re not selecting the top prospects here, we’re choosing the top performers on the field this season. So take a look at the candidates for yourself and then cast your vote in our poll for the top A’s Organizational All-Star of 2017!

TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)

Midland RockHounds 4

Frisco RoughRiders 1

WP – Holmes 11-12 / 4.49

HR – Murphy (4)

Prospect Of The Game:

(8 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 5 K / Win)

The RockHounds won on Sunday to reduce their magic number for a playoff berth to one with one game left to play. A Midland win or a Corpus Christi loss on Monday will put the Hounds in the Texas League playoffs for the fourth straight season. RHP Grant Holmes was the star of the game, allowing just 1 unearned run on 3 hits while striking out 5 over 8 innings of work to earn his team-leading 11th win. The 21-year-old extended his league-leading strikeout tally to 150 and also set a RockHounds single-season franchise record with the total. Catcher Sean Murphy homered for the second straight night to tie the game in the top of the 5th inning. Second baseman Max Schrock had a pair of hits and drove in the winning run in the 9th, while first baseman Viosergy Rosa singled twice and drove scored a run, and Murphy drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the 9th. RHP Kyle Finnegan got the final three outs to notch his 9th save for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, RHP Heath Fillmyer is set to make the start for Midland on Monday.

MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)

GAME #2

Beloit Snappers 8

Burlington Bees 4

WP – Camacho 3-3 / 2.97

HR – Shelby (8)

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 3 / Double / Walk / RBI)

The Snappers snapped their three-game losing streak by sweeping a doubleheader from Burlington on Monday. Designated hitter Kyle Nowlin reached base 4 times, on a pair of singles, a double and a walk, while also driving in a run and scoring twice. Center fielder JaVon Shelby singled and homered, while second baseman Josh Vidales singled, walked twice and scored twice, and right fielder Luke Persico singled in 2 runs, including the winning run for the Snappers. Starter Zack Erwin gave up 2 runs over 4 1/3 frames, while RHP Joseph Camacho allowed 1 run 2 2/3 innings of relief to pick up the win. In other news, Erwin was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on Monday after throwing 6 no-hit innings in Beloit’s no-hitter against Quad Cities on Wednesday.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

by Ryan Christoffersen / A’s Farm Beloit Correspondent

The Beloit Snappers lost two out of three games to the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Astros’ Midwest League affiliate, at Pohlman Field in Beloit this week.

The River Bandits’ .427 team slugging percentage is the best in the league by far. A number of the team’s top hitters have been promoted this season, but the Astros’ deep farm system has been able to replenish the River Bandits’ lineup throughout the season.

The Snappers, on the other hand, were reeling after getting swept by Cedar Rapids in a recent four-game series. With Beloit’s playoff chances hanging by a thread, would the Snappers be able to find a way to beat the second-half Western Division leader?

Game #1: Quad Cities 4 – Beloit 1

Matt Milburn

*RHP Matt Milburn, the A’s 29th-round pick in 2016, bounced back with a strong start after allowing 7 runs in 5 innings against Wisconsin his last time out. In this one, he induced 8 groundball outs and struck out 8 while allowing just 1 run in 6 innings of work for the Snappers.

*RHP John Gorman needed just 12 pitches to get through 1 ⅓ scoreless innings in relief, and he was promptly rewarded be being promoted to Stockton the next day. Gorman had been sensational out of the Beloit bullpen, putting up a 0.93 ERA and a 0.47 WHIP while striking out 24 and walking just 1 in 19 ⅓ innings for the Snappers.

*Right fielder Luke Persico, Oakland’s 12th-round pick in 2016, went 2 for 4 with his 4th triple to raise his batting average for Beloit to .267.

*Third baseman Jesus Lopez went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI single. It was nearly a 2-RBI single, but left fielder J.C Rodriguez was thrown out at the plate by River Bandits right fielder Luis Payano.

Game #2: Beloit 3 – Quad Cities 0

Joseph Camacho

*If you haven’t already heard, THE SNAPPERS NO-HIT THE RIVER BANDITS! Sorry for yelling, but it was kind of a big deal.

*LHP Zack Erwin tossed 6 innings of no-hit ball, walking just 1. He threw 79 pitches, which is close to what’s generally been his pitch limit for most of the season.

*RHP Joseph Camacho relieved Erwin to start the 7th inning, inheriting the task of preserving a no-hitter. The undrafted free agent who was signed by the A’s last summer did a wonderful job over the final 3 innings, giving up just 1 walk and, of course, no hits.

*Camacho got the final out of the no-hitter by retiring the Bandits #2 hitter, slugging catcher Chuckie Robinson, on a flyout to Snappers right fielder JaVon Shelby.

*Congratulations are in order for hurlers Zack Erwin and Joseph Camacho, as well as all the rest of the Beloit Snappers squad who contributed to the no-hitter!

Seth Martinez

Game #3: Quad Cities 5 – Beloit 2

*RHP Seth Martinez, the A’s 17th-round pick in 2016, continued his solid season with another quality start for the Snappers. His final line was 6 IP/5 H/3 R/1 ER/1 BB/3 K.

*Left Fielder J.C. Rodriguez batted in the leadoff spot for the first time this season and responded by going 2 for 3 while driving in a run.

*The Snappers got 2 scoreless and hitless innings of relief from LHP Ty Damron. The A’s 15th-round pick in 2016 started the season as a starter before being sidelined by an injury for about two months.

MIDWEST LEAGUE (Class-A)

Quad Cities River Bandits 0

Beloit Snappers 3

WP – Erwin 6-4 / 2.12

Prospect Of The Game:

(6 IP / 0 H / 0 ER / 1 BB / 4 K / Win)

LHP Zack Erwin and RHP Joseph Camacho combined to no-hit Quad Cities and snap the Snappers five-game losing streak on Wednesday. Erwin, who was acquired from the White Sox in December of 2015 in the Brett Lawrie deal, allowed just 1 walk while striking out 4 over 6 hitless and scoreless frames to lower his ERA to 2.12. After throwing 79 pitches, he was replaced on the mound by RHP Joseph Camacho, who was signed last summer as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State. And the 23-year-old walked 1 and struck out 2 over 3 hitless innings in relief to earn his 1st save for the Snappers and complete the no-hitter on Wednesday. Shortstop Edwin Diaz walked and doubled in a run, while third baseman Trace Loehr doubled in his return from the disabled list, and second baseman Josh Vidales and left fielder J.C. Rodriguez each singled in a run for the Snappers. And with Loehr returning to the active roster, Beloit RHP John Gorman was promoted to the Ports on Wednesday.

TEXAS LEAGUE (Double-A)

Arkansas Travelers 5

Midland RockHounds 6

WP – Sturdevant 2-3 / 3.58

HR – Mateo (1)

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 4 RBIs)

With two men on and the game tied in the bottom of the 9th, shortstop Jorge Mateo stepped to the plate and laced a single to right field to drive home the winning run as the RockHounds won in a walk-off to notch their fifth straight victory on Friday. Mateo also doubled in a run in the 2nd and hit a 2-run homer in the 4th for the Hounds. Designated hitter Tyler Marincov singled, doubled and drove in 2 runs, while second baseman Max Schrock and left fielder Tyler Ramirez had a pair of hits apiece for Midland. Starter Casey Meisner allowed 1 run in 4 innings of work, while RHP Tyler Sturdevant picked up the win despite giving up 3 runs, 2 earned, in 1 inning of relief for the RockHounds. Meanwhile, Midland RHP Dustin Hurlbutt landed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain and RHP Kyle Finnegan was reassigned to the RockHounds from the Sounds on Friday.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE (High-A)

Visalia Rawhide 1

Stockton Ports 10

WP – Shore 2-5 / 4.47

HR – M.White (14), Smolinski (1)

Prospect Of The Game:

(5 for 5 / Home Run / Double / 5 RBIs)

Stockton scored 10 runs to win its fourth straight on Sunday. Designated hitter Jake Smolinski had a big night at the plate in his second rehab appearance for the Ports, collecting 5 hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in 5 of Stockton’s 10 runs in the game. Third baseman Mikey White homered for the second time in the last three nights, while shortstop Richie Martin singled, tripled and scored twice, and catcher Argenis Raga singled, doubled and drove in a pair for the Ports. RHP Logan Shore turned in a strong start on Sunday, striking out 7 over 5 scoreless frames to earn his 2nd win for Stockton, while LHP Brandon Marsonek pitched 3 perfect innings in relief to pick up his 1st save for the Ports. In other news, Ports play-by-play man Zack Bayrouty announced on Sunday that Stockton infielder Sheldon Neuse has been promoted to Double-A Midland. Neuse has put up an impressive .386/.457/.675 slash line since joining Stockton after being acquired from the Nationals organization in the Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle deal. Though Neuse had been splitting time between shortstop and third base for the Ports, he’s likely to spend the bulk of his time at the hot corner for Midland with A’s shortstop-of-the-future Jorge Mateo also on the RockHounds roster.

Like this:

LikeLoading...

by Ryan Christoffersen / A’s Farm Beloit Correspondent

The Beloit Snappers split a 4-game series with the Clinton LumberKings, the Mariners’ Midwest League affiliate, that concluded this Sunday at Pohlman Field in Beloit.

It’s been a rough year for the LumberKings, and nothing sums it up better than the fact that they’re currently on their third manager this season after their first two skippers resigned.

Beloit, meanwhile, continues to battle with the Peoria Chiefs for a Midwest League Western Division playoff spot.

Game #1: Beloit 4 – Clinton 1

Jesus Lopez

*LHP Kyle Twomey allowed no earned runs in 5 innings of work. And in 15 ⅔ frames over his last 3 starts, Twomey has given up just 1 earned run. During that stretch, he’s lowered his ERA almost a full run to 4.15 for the Snappers.

*Left fielder Josh Vidales, the A’s 28th-round pick in 2016, reached base in all 4 of his plate appearances. The 24-year-old had 3 singles and a walk and also drove in a run for the Snappers.

*Second baseman Jesus Lopez cracked a line-drive home run to left field with two outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to put Beloit on the board. It was his 1st home run of the year for the Snappers.

*Lopez struggled last season, putting up a slash line of .193/.256/.262 between Beloit and Vermont. The native of Nicaragua came back this season with a couple of changes. He’s grown his hair out and, more notably, he’s abandoned switch hitting and is hitting strictly from the right side now. Lopez has looked good this season in his second stint with the Snappers. He’s currently slashing .313/.356/.422 for Beloit, and at just 20 years old, there’s still plenty of time for improvement.

Game #2: Beloit 4 – Clinton 2

Matt Milburn

*Matt “The Burn” Milburn had another solid outing for the Snappers, giving up just 1 run and striking out 6 in 5 innings of work. The A’s 29th-round pick in 2016 has shown some real swing-and-miss ability, as evidenced by his 8.8 K/9 rate.

*RHP John Gorman worked 1 ⅔ scoreless innings to close out the game and earn his 1st save for the Snappers. He’s proved to be a great addition to the Beloit bullpen. In 16 ⅓ innings for the Snappers, Gorman has compiled a 1.10 ERA and an excellent 20/1 K/BB ratio.

*Both designated hitter Kyle Nowlin and second baseman Jesus Lopez went 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base for the Snappers.

Miguel Mercedes

Game #3: Clinton 5 – Beloit 4

*First Baseman Miguel Mercedes went 2 for 3 with a walk. He hit a double and a towering home run to center field, his team-leading 16th of the year.

*RHP Xavier Altamirano battled through 5 innings without his best stuff. His final line was 5 IP/9 H/4 ER/1 BB/2 K.

*The Snappers put a run on the board in both the 8th and 9th innings but still came up short, stranding the tying run on third base in the bottom of the 9th to end the game.

Game #4: Clinton 4 – Beloit 2

Kyle Nowlin

*LHP Zack Erwin gave up 2 runs while striking out 6 in 5 innings of work. After three terrific pitchers (Dalton Sawyer, Brendan Butler and Brandon Bailey) were promoted from Beloit to Stockton this season, Erwin has become the ace of the Snappers pitching staff in the second half.

*RHP Joseph Camacho, signed as an undrafted free agent after last year’s draft, struck out 4 in 3 scoreless innings of relief. He’s compiled a 3.07 ERA with a 23/5 K/BB ratio in 29 ⅓ innings for the Snappers this season. Thus far, Camacho has looked like a real find by the A’s scouting staff.

*RHP Sam Sheehan, a 31st-round pick by Oakland in 2016, had a rare bad day on the mound. He surrendered 2 runs in the top of the 9th to suffer his 1st loss for the Snappers.

*First Baseman Kyle Nowlin cracked a two-out double to right-center field, scoring a hustling Edwin Diaz from first base to put Beloit on the board in the bottom of the 1st inning.

*Nowlin has made some immense strides in his hitting as well as his play at first base this season for the Snappers. While he doesn’t possess great range, Nowlin has learned how to better scoop out throws in the dirt. And he’s come on strong at the plate of late, putting up a slash line of .307/.409/.473 for the Snappers in the second half.

NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE (Class-A Short-Season)

Vermont Lake Monsters 5

Hudson Valley Renegades 6

LP – Jones 0-1 / 1.93

Prospect Of The Game:

(3 for 5 / 2 Doubles / 2 RBIs)

The Lake Monsters lost in a 10-inning walk-off on Monday. This year’s 36th-round draft pick for the A’s, center fielder Logan Farrar, had another big game at the plate for Vermont. The 22-year-old collected 3 hits, including 2 doubles, and drove in a pair of runs, and he’s now gone 7 for 18 with 6 RBIs over his last 5 games for the Lake Monsters. 4th-round third baseman Will Toffey and 25th-round first baseman Hunter Hargrove both singled and doubled in the loss. 19-year-old Venezuelan RHP Oscar Tovar made the start and allowed 2 runs over 5 innings of work. 20-year-old Dominican RHP Wandisson Charles came in to to preserve a 3-run lead in the bottom of the 9th but instead surrendered 3 runs to send the game to extra innings. And 23rd-round RHP Malik Jones ended up allowing the winning run in the bottom of the 10th to take the loss as Hudson Valley won in a walk-off on Monday.